PASS OF GIVAN-KAU. 45 



range is only developed fully on the further side, 

 i.e. towards the plain at its base. 



The road follows the pass of Gwan-kau the 

 whole way from Chadau as far as the town of Nan- 

 kau, situated at the egress from the mountains. 

 The pass is only 70 to 80 feet wide at first, and is 

 shut in by stupendous rocks of granite, porphyry, 

 grey marble, and silicious slate. The road was once 

 paved with stone-flags, but is now completely out 

 of repair, and almost impassable for equestrians, 

 although the Chinese drive their two-wheeled carts 

 over it, as well as caravans of camels, laden with tea. 



Along the crest of this range is built the second, 

 so-called inner, Great Wall, far greater and more 

 massively built than that of Kalgan. It is composed 

 of great slabs of granite, with brick battlements on 

 the summit ; the loftiest points are crowned with 

 watch-towers. Beyond it are three other walls, 

 about two miles apart, all probably connected \vith 

 the main barrier. These walls block the pass of 

 Gwan-kau with double gates, but the last of all in 

 the direction of Peking has triple gates. Here may 

 be noticed two old cannon, said to have been cast 

 for the Chinese by the Jesuits, 



Immediately after passing through, the defile 

 Avidens, although its wild, weird appearance con- 

 tinues for some distance further. Mountain torrents 

 and cascades rush noisily down the rocks, and at 

 the foot of overhanging cliffs Chinese houses appear 

 everywhere, with their vine}'ards and small orchards 

 of fruit-trees. At len^rth the traveller arrives at the 



